Detection and Characterization of Clostridium perfringens Serotype D from Small Ruminants of Balochistan

1Center for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, University of Balochistan, Quetta

2Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Pakistan

3Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta, Pakistan

* Corresponding author: taj_imran@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The current study was carried out in all administrative divisions of the province to explore the prevalence of Clostridium perfringens type D in small ruminants. A total of 204 fecal samples were collected from sheep and goats suffering from seasonal diarrhea. C. perfringens type D was identified through different biochemical tests and PCR. Antibiograms and lab animal trials were also carried out on local isolates of C. perfringens type D. Out of 204 analyzed samples, 89.18 % were found positive while 10.82 % were negative for C. perfringens type D. The division wise distribution showed that Quetta, Zhob, Sibi and Kalat were more effected zones of the Balochistan province. Sheep were more effected (54.78 %) than goats (34.4 %). C. perfringens was identified through different biochemical tests and PCR. Based on length of synthesized fragments by PCR, toxin gens of alpha and epsilon types were detected. C. perfringens type D was sensitive to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, gentamicin, sulfamethoxazole and erythromycin, while showed resistance against carbenicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin g, colistin sulphate, bacitracin and metronidazole. In lab animal trial C. perfringens type D affected the fore stomach, intestine, liver, kidney, pancreas and gall bladder of mice.